Pics: Seven Killer Whales have been spotted off the coast of Ireland

Stay calm people, stay calm...

JOE has always had a fascination with sea creatures and killer whales ever since we watched the cinematic masterpieces that were Free Willy, Free Willy 2 and Free Willy 3, a trilogy to match any thing. The film had such an impact on us that we asked our parents for a pet orca whale but they decided against it because it was an absolutely ridiculous idea. Obviously. We still love whales and will watch any National Geographic documentary about them that we come across but the mammals are now closer to us than ever after a pod of seven orca killer whales were spotted off the south-west coast of Ireland. The sighting was made as part of the ongoing Cetaceans on the Frontier Survey being carried out as part of the national Sea Change strategy. The whales which can weigh up to six tonnes and measure up to eight metres were spotted on Friday by the team of researchers who were made up of veterans and students. Here are some of the amazing pictures taken by people on board the boat... Picture credit: William Hunt Picture credit: Joanne O'Brien Picture credit: Joanne O'Brien Picture credit: William Hunt Hat-tip to Cetaceans on the Frontier Survey.